The Bayeux Tapestry - A Guide HIC APPREHENDIT VVIDO HAROLDU(M) ET DUXIT EUM AD BELREM ET IBI EUM TENUIT UBI HAROLD 7 (ET) VVIDO PARABOLANT UBI NUNTII VVILLELMI DUCIS VENERUNT AD VVIDONE(M) TUROLD NUNTII VVILLELMI + HIC VENIT NUNTIUS AD VVILGELMUM DUCEM HIC VVIDO ADDUXIT HAROLDUM AD VVILGELMUM NORMANNORUM DUCEM HIC DUX VVILGELM CUM HAROLDO VENIT AD PALATIU(M) SUU(M) UBI UNUS CLERICUS ET AELFGYVA HIC VVILLEM DUX ET EXERCITUS EIUS VENERUNT AD MONTE(M) MICHAELIS ET HIC TRANSIERUNT FLUMEN COSNONIS ET VENERUNT AD DOL HIC HAROLD DUX TRAHEBAT EOS DE ARENA ET CONAN FUGA VERTIT REDNES HIC MILITES VVILLELMI

 DUCIS PUGNANT CONTRA DINANTES ET CUNAN CLAVES PORREXIT HIC VVILLELM DEDIT HAROLDO ARMA HI(C) VVILLELM VENIT BAGIAS UBI HAROLD SACRAMENTUM FECIT VVILLELMO DUCI HIC HAROLD DUX REVERSUS EST AD ANGLICAM TERRAM ET VENIT AD EDVVARDU(M) REGEM HIC PORTATUR CORPUS EADVVARDI REGIS AD ECCLESIAM S(AN)C(T)I PETRI AP(OSTO)LI HIC EADVVARDUS REX IN LECTO ALLOQUIT(UR) FIDELES ET HIC DEFUNCTUS EST HIC DEDERUNT HAROLDO CORONA(M) REGIS HIC RESIDET HAROLD REX ANGLORUM STIGANT ARCHIEP(ISCOPU)S ISTI MIRANT STELLA(M) HAROLD HIC NAVIS ANGLICA VENIT IN TERRAM VVILLELMI DUCIS HIC VVILLELM DUX IUSSIT NAVES EDIFICARE HIC TRAHUNT(UR)

 NAVES AD MARE ISTI PORTANT ARMA(S) AD NAVES, ET HIC TRAHUNT CARRUM CUM VINO ET ARMIS + HIC VVILLELM DUX IN MAGNO NAVIGIO MARE TRANSIVIT ET VENIT AD PEVENESAE HIC EXEUNT CABALLI DE NAVIBUS ET HIC MILITES FESTINAVERUNT HESTINGA, UT CIBUM RAPERENTUR HIC EST VVADARD HIC COQUITUR CARO ET HIC MINISTRAVERUNT MINISTRI HIC FECERUNT PRANDIUM ET HIC EPISCOPUS CIBU(M) ET POTU(M) BENEDICIT ODO EP(ISCOPU)S ROTBERT VVILLELM ISTE IUSSIT UT FODERETUR CASTELLUM AT HESTENGA CEASTRA HIC NUNTIATUM EST VVILLELM(O) DE HAROLD HIC DOMUS INCENDITUR HIC MILITES EXIERUNT DE HESTENGA ET VENERUNT AD PRELIUM CONTRA HAROLDUM REGE(M) HIC VVILLELM DUX INTERROGAT VITAL SI VIDIS

SET EXERCITU(M) HAROLDI ISTE NUNTIAT HAROLDUM REGE(M) DE EXERCITU VVILELMI DUCIS HIC VVILLELM DUX ALLOQUITUR SUIS MILITIBUS UT PREPARERENT SE VIRILITER ET SAPIENTER AD PRELIUM CONTRA ANGLORUM EXERCITU(M) HIC CECIDERUNT LEVVINE ET GYRD FRATRES HAROLDI REGIS HIC CECIDERUNT SIMUL ANGLI ET FRANCI IN PRELIO HIC ODO EP(ISCOPU)S BACULU(M) TENENS CONFORTAT PUEROS E(USTA)TIUS HIC EST VVILEL(MUS) DUX HIC FRANCI PUGNANT ET CECIDERUNT QUI ERANT CUM HAROLDO HIC HAROLD REX INTERFECTUS EST ET FUGA VERTERUNT ANGLI Translation KING EDWARD WHERE HAROLD, DUKE OF THE ENGLISH, AND HIS SOLDIERS RIDE TO BOSHAM CHURCH HAROLD HAS SAILED THE SEA, AND WITH HIS SAILS FILLED BY THE WIND,

 HE HAS COME INTO THE LAND OF COUNT GUY HAROLD HERE GUY HAS SEIZED HAROLD AND HAS TAKEN HIM ...

... TO BEAURAIN AND HELD HIM THERE WHERE HAROLD AND GUY TALK TOGETHER WHERE MESSENGERS OF DUKE WILLIAM HAVE COME TO GUY TUROLD WILLIAM'S MESSENGERS AND HERE A MESSENGER HAS COME TO DUKE WILLIAM HERE GUY HAS LED HAROLD TO WILLIAM, DUKE OF THE NORMANS HERE DUKE WILLIAM HAS COME WITH HAROLD TO HIS PALACE WHERE A CLERIC AND AELFGYVA HERE DUKE WILLIAM AND HIS ARMY HAVE COME TO MONT ST. MICHEL AND THEY CROSSED RIVER COUESNON AND THEY HAVE COME TO DOL DUKE HAROLD PULLED THEM FROM QUICKSAND CONAN HAS TURNED IN FLIGHT REDNES HERE THE SOLDIERS OF DUKE WILLIAM FIGHT AGAINST THE MEN OF DINAN AND CONAN HAS HELD OUT THE KEYS HERE WILLIAM HAS GIVEN HAROLD ARMS HERE WILLIAM HAS COME TO BAYEUX ... WHERE HAROLD TOOK THE OATH TO DUKE WILLIAM HERE DUKE HAROLD HAS RETURNED TO ENGLISH SOIL ...

AND HAS COME TO KING EDWARD HERE THE BODY OF KING EDWARD IS BEING CARRIED TO THE CHURCH OF ST.

PETER THE APOSTLE KING EDWARD IN BED ADDRESSES HIS LOYAL FRIENDS AND HERE HE IS DEAD THEY HAVE GIVEN HAROLD THE ROYAL CROWN HERE SITS HAROLD AS KING OF THE ENGLISH ARCHBISHOP STIGAND THESE MEN WONDER AT THE STAR HAROLD AN ENGLISH SHIP HAS COME INTO DUKE WILLIAM'S LAND HERE DUKE WILLIAM HAS ORDERED THE BUILDING OF SHIPS HERE THE SHIPS ARE BEING DRAGGED TO THE SEA MEN ARE CARRYING ARMS TO THE SHIPS, AND HERE THEY ARE PULLING A CART WITH WINE AND ARMS AND HERE DUKE WILLIAM IN A GREAT SHIP HAS CROSSED THE SEA AND COME TO PEVENSEY HERE THE HORSES ARE GETTING OUT OF THE BOATS AND HERE THE SOLDIERS HAVE SPED TO HASTINGS TO SEIZE FOOD HERE IS WADARD HERE MEAT IS BEING COOKED AND HERE ATTENDANTS HAVE SERVED IT HERE THEY HAVE PREPARED A MEAL AND HERE A BISHOP BLESSES THE FOOD AND DRINK BISHOP ODO ROBERT WILLIAM THIS MAN HAS ORDERED A DITCH DUG AND CASTLE AT H

ASTINGS HERE WILLIAM HAS HAD NEWS OF HAROLD HERE A HOUSE IS BURNED HERE THE SOLDIERS HAVE GONE OUT FROM HASTINGS AND COME TO BATTLE AGAINST KING HAROLD HERE DUKE WILLIAM ASKS VITAL WHETHER HE HAD SEEN HAROLD'S ARMY THIS MAN INFORMS KING HAROLD ABOUT DUKE WILLIAM'S ARMY HERE DUKE WILLIAM EXHORTS HIS SOLDIERS TO PREPARE THEMSELVES BRAVELY AND WISELY FOR BATTLE AGAINST THE ENGLISH ARMY HERE LEOFWINE AND GYRTH HAVE FALLEN, THE BROTHERS OF KING HAROLD HERE THE ENGLISH AND FRENCH HAVE FALLEN TOGETHER IN BATTLE HERE BISHOP ODO, HOLDING A MACE, URGES ON THE YOUNG MEN EUSTACE HERE IS DUKE WILLIAM HERE THE FRENCH ARE FIGHTING AND THOSE WHO WERE WITH HAROLD HAVE FALLEN HERE KING HAROLD HAS BEEN KILLED AND THE ENGLISH HAVE TURNED IN FLIGHT The tapestry begins in 1064 when Edward the Confessor was King of England.

He had no direct male heir and there were a number of people who might claim the throne when he died (See The problem of the succession ). Edward is shown in talking to Harold Godwinson. His index finger touches Harold's, a sign that he is giving a command (compare this with William commanding his messengers to ride to Count Guy and the scene of Edward's deathbed ). Norman chroniclers, such as William of Poitiers, assert that Harold was sent by Edward to renew the promise Edward had given in 1052 that William would inherit the throne of England. The chroniclers Eadmer and Wace give a different version, claiming that Harold journeyed to Normandy to obtain the release of Harold's nephew and brother who were held as hostages at William's court. In this account Edward is said to have counselled Harold not to undertake such a perilous mission. William of Malmesbury says that Harold did not intend to travel to Normandy but was blown off course when fishing in the English Channel. Harold is shown riding with his hawk and hounds, symbols of his status. Bosham in West Sussex was an important port.

King Cnut is recorded as having had a palace in the village and the tapestry shows Harold and his men feasting before the voyage. At the feast two of the men drink from elaborately decorated horns remarkably similar to those found in the seventh century burial at Sutton Hoo. Harold and his men are depicted boarding the ship carrying hunting dogs and hawks. England had been famous for its hunting dogs since Roman times. Unfortunately for Harold, as he crossed the English Channel his ship was blown off course and he came ashore in the lands of Count Guy (Uuido) of Ponthieu. Guy siezed Harold and his party and held them prisoner in his court at Beaurain. The Norman chroniclers claim Guy owed allegiance to William but this was clearly a technicality. In 1053 Guy's father, Enguerrand, had supported a revolt by William's uncle, William of Talou. When Enguerrand led his forces to break the Norman siege of Arques, he was caught in an ambush and killed. The next year, when King Henry of France invaded Normandy, Guy supported Henry. In the Battle of Mortemer Guy was captured and his younger brother was killed.

Guy spent two years as a prisoner in Normandy before being released. The lower margin is believed to show a number of scenes from Aesop's Fables. The most clear depictions include 'The fox and the crow', 'The wolf and the lamb', 'The wolf and the crane', 'The frog and the mouse', and 'The lion's share' (or the lion, the cow, the she-goat and the sheep). Many more associations of marginal figures with fables have been proposed but many are less clear. Belrem is believed to be Beaurain Chï¿½teau, which is close to Montreuil sur Mer the capital of Ponthieu. Guy is shown returning Harold's sword, presumably as a gesture of good faith. Again this appears to be a symbol of Harold's status. As they converse Guy armed attendant touches his elbow to alert him to the fact that William's messengers are approaching. The small figure standing by the wall has been interpreted as either Guy's jester (his tunic is uniquely shown a being fringed) or as an eavesdropper who later informs William of Harold's predicament.

William heared that Guy had siezed Harold and sent messengers to demand he be released, or possibly to negotiate a ransom. Guy is shown wearing an armoured corslet of scales and carrying a war axe. This suggests that he is not immediately disposed to accede to William's demand to release Harold. The figure marked Turold is believed to be the Constable of Bayeux. He is one of three people believed to be vassals of Bishop Odo of Bayeux who appear in the tapestry. It has been proposed that the marginal figures shown plowing, sowing seed and finally scaring birds until the seed germinates represent the fact that these events took place in spring and also may represent the time Harold spent as Guy's prisoner, some 3-4 weeks - the time taken to undertake these agricultural labours. These may be the same messengers as shown in the preeceeding scene, that is the chronology of the events may have been reversed. This happens later on in the tapestry when King Edward's death and burial are depicted.

Alternatively, since these messengers appear more heavily armed than those of the preceeding scene, they may represent further messengers sent by William to demand Harold's release under threat of war. The messenger is shown to be English by his uncropped hair and his moustache. As he supplicates himself to William, William commands his messengers to ride to Guy's court. Guy eventually brought Harold to William. The account of William of Poitiers indicates that this was due to 'prayers and threats' by William's messengers, however he also says that once Harold had been delivered to him Guy was rewarded with a gift of land and money. The chronicler Wace is more specific saying William gave Guy 'a fair manor lying along the river Alne' for releasing Harold. William's capital was at Rouen. The knight being presented by Harold to William (seated) appears, based on his moustache and hairstyle, to be English. He is therefore likely to be Hakon, Harold's nephew and one of the two English hostages held in William's court.

William of Poitiers records that when Harold returned to England 'one of the two hostages, his nephew, returned with him, freed as a mark of respect to his person'. In the lower margin there is a naked figure using an ax to dress a plank of wood; Haccian in Anglo-Saxon means 'to hack' and this may be a play on the name 'Hakon'. In William of Poitiers account it was at this time, before the campaign against Conan, that Harold swore his oath to support William's claim to the English throne and accepted the gift of weapons and armour from him. The use of 'Wilgelm' the Norman dialect form of William has been used as evidence that the tapesty was made in Normandy. A female figure named 'ï¿½lfgiva' stands in an annex to the main hall alongside a cleric. It is likely that she is one of William's daughters. The chronicler Wace records that in return for helping William to the throne of England, Harold 'was to have Ele, one of William's daughters, for his wife if he would'. Orderic Vitalis records Harold's bethrothed as either ‘Adelidis' or 'Agatha'.

Alternatively, 'ï¿½lfgiva' may be Harold's younger sister 'ï¿½lfgifu'. None of the contemporary accounts mention the presence of Harold's sister on his mission to Normandy, however, it has been suggested that Harold offered ï¿½lfgifu's hand in marriage to a Norman knight in exchange for the release of the hostages Wulfnoth and Hakon. Alternatively it has been suggested that this scene depicts some sexual scandal that occurred. It has been noted that the pose of the naked figure in the margin mirrors that of the cleric. The inclusion of naked marginal figures occurs several times, however, without any apparent connection with the main panel. A naked couple are depicted below the first meeting of Harold and William and naked couples appear twice above the advancing Norman knights at Hastings. These next scenes illustrate the campaign against Conan, Duke of Brittany. According to William of Poitiers Conan, like Guy, was nominally a vassal of William who revolted and laid siege to the castle of Dol (now Dol-de-Bretagne) which was defended by Rivallon, one of Conan's own knights 'who remained faithful to the just cause' ie William.

In fact Brittany was an independent duchy and Rivallon was revolting against Conan, presumably with the support of William. Mont St Michel is a fortified abbey built on an island at the mouth of the river Couesnon which defines the border between Normandy and Brittany. This scene therefore makes clear that William had crossed into Brittany in his campaign against Conan. William led his army to relieve the siege and forced Conan to retire back into Brittany. Here the tapestry depicts an incident in which Harold rescues several Norman knights who have become trapped in quicksand while crossing the river. This depiction of the heroism of Harold, when compared to the clear justification of William's claim to the English throne in later scenes, appears to indicate a degree of ambivalence in the attitude of the designer of the tapestry. In the lower border the two conjoined fish may depict Pisces and therefore indicate the season of the year is early spring. If so, given the earlier depiction of sowing grain (late spring), this would indicate Harold was abroad for more than a year. William's forces reach the castle of Dol which was being besieged by Conan, who's knights are forced to flee. Note the horsemen lack mail shirts and most lack helmets.

These must therefore be a lightly armed force sent ahead to break the siege. Several scholars have identified the figure climbing the ladder on the right of the castle as Conan escaping from the approach of William's army. However, Dol had not fallen to Conan; the figure is better interpreted as representing the fact that Dol was under siege when William arrived. The fortified town named on the tapestry Rednes is presumably Rennes, capital of Brittany. None of the written sources suggest Rennes was attacked and, indeed, the sheep grazing on the slopes outside the city walls suggest it is untouched by the conflict. This scene shows the Normans besieging the Breton town of Dinan and Conan being forced to surrender after the towns defences are set alight. Neither the siege nor the Norman victory is recorded in the contemporary accounts, rather the pro-Norman chronicler William of Poitiers writes that, having abandoned Dol, Conan was reinforced by troops from Anjou. This appears to have lead to a stalemate with neither side having sufficient advantage to attack the other. Eventually the two armies retired due to lack of supplies. Conan remained as Count of Brittany and in 1066 died during an invasion of Anjou.

One of the claims made by the Norman chroniclers to support William's siezure of the English crown was that Harold had sworn allegence to William. The giving and receiving of weapons and armour were a symbolic part of the act of swearing allegence. The use of the word 'Bagias', a Norman dialect term for Bayeux has been used as evidence that the tapesty was made in Normandy. This scene is central to the Norman claim to the English throne. All the pro-Norman commentators record that while in Normandy Harold took a solem oath on holy relics to support William's claim to the English throne and to be his vassal. The chronicler Wace indicated a degree of trickery however, 'He sent for all the holy bodies thither, and put so many of them together as to fill a whole chest, and then covered them with a pall; but Harold neither saw them, nor knew of their being there; for nought was shewn or told to him about it; and over all was a philactery, the best that he could select ...

When Harold placed his hand upon it, the hand trembled, and the flesh quivered; but he swore, and promised upon his oath, to take Ele to wife, and to deliver up England to the duke: and thereunto to do all in his power, according to his might and wit, after the death of Edward, if he should live, so help him God and the holy relics there! Many cried "God grant it!" and when Harold had kissed the saints, and had risen upon his feet, the duke led him up to the chest, and made him stand near it; and took off the chest the pall that had covered it, and shewed Harold upon what holy relics he had sworn; and he was sorely alarmed at the sight.' It appears that one of the objects Harold is swearing on has handles, presumably so that it can be carried. It may well be William's personal shrine. William is recorded as bequeathing the monks of Battle Abbey 'a shrine containing relics in the form of an altar on which mass was celebrated for him in the field'.

Harold and his men return to England, note that Harold and his me, here and in the next few scenes are shown without moustaches, perhaps showing how much they have adopted Norman mores. William of Poitiers records that when Harold returned to England 'one of the two hostages, his nephew, returned with him, freed as a mark of respect to his person'. On the English coast sentinels watch for their approach. On his return to England the tapestry depicts an audience between Harold and King Edward. The attitude of the figure of Harold appears suplicatory, supporting the version of events put forward by the chronicler Eadmer. He records that on Harold's return King Edward admonished him saying 'Did I not tell you that I knew William, and your going might bring untold calamity upon this kingdom?' Indeed the two figures bearing axes have been interpreted as guards, suggesting that, Harold had not been executing Edward's orders to go to Normandy, rather, as Wace recorded, Harold had disobeyed his king who had forbidden the journey. The next two scenes depict, somewhat back to front, the death and funeral of King Edward. The deathbed scene appears to show King Edward nominating Harold as his successor.

With him are Harold, an unknown cleric, a woman and another figure, presumed to be the king's wife Eadgyth and Robert the Staller both of whom are recorded as being at Edward's deathbed in the anonymous Vita ï¿½dwardi Regis. Harold's claim to have received the kings final nomination as his heir is even recorded by the pro-Norman chronicler William of Poitiers. Just before the Battle of Hastings he records that Harold sent a monk as an ambassador to try to negotiate a Norman withdrawal. The ambassador claimed that Harold '... knows the kingdom belongs to him by right, because the same great king [Edward] gave it to him on his deathbed.' King Edward died on 5 January 1066 and was buried at Westminster Abbey. The abbey had been built during Edward's reign and was, and remains dedicated to St Peter. The hand of god depicted on the tapestry may represent the consecration of the church on 28 December 1065, just a week before King Edward's death and thus explain the achronological appearence of these two scenes.

The original stone abbey at Westminster was rebuilt in the thirteenth century by Henry III; the depiction on the Bayeux Tapestry is the only surviving representation of the earlier building. In the funeral procession two boys walk at the side of the bier ringing bells while a group of clerics walk behind, one carries a bishop's crosier, another reads from a book, presumably the bible. Note the use of the term 'fideles' is considered to be evidence of a Norman origin for the tapestry. The usual English term would be 'ministri'. After King Edward's death Harold was immediately elected as the next king by the 'Witena gemot', the meeting of the most powerful men in the kingdom. His coronation followed on 6 January 1066. This scene is central to the English claim for Harold's legitimacy, that election by the Witan (literally wise-men) was central to the English tradition of succession. Harold is depicted being offered the crown by one man while another guard holds an axe. This coupled with Harold's own axe neatly places him between the two blades, perhaps representing his dilemma whether or not to take the crown.

Either course of action would have entailed a degree of risk. Norman chroniclers assert that the rapidity of Harold's election and coronation argue for its illegitimacy, that due process was not followed. However, it has been argued that this was a simple matter of convenience: the members of the 'Witena gemot' had already gathered for the consecration of the abbey and coronations were traditionally held during the great church festivals; Christmastide had not yet ended, however, any delay would mean reassembling all those present again at Easter. The highlighting of Archbishop Stigand presiding at the coronation is an element in the Norman claim for Harold's illegitimacy since Stigand's authority as archbishop was disputed. Orderic Vitalis wrote 'On the very day of the funeral, when the people were bathed in tears for the loss of their beloved king, Harold caused himself to be crowned by Archbishop Stigand alone, though the pope had suspended him from his functions for certain crimes, without the concurrence of any other bishops and the earls and barons of the realm.'.

Stigand had received the office of Archbishop of Canterbury during the reign of Edward when the Norman Robert of Jumiï¿½ges was driven out of the country by the return of Godwin in 1052. Pope Leo IX refused to recognise Edward's right to make such an appointment and later excommunicated the archbishop. During the brief papacy of Benedict X (later declared an anti-pope) Stigand was recognised as archbishop but was again excommunicated when Benedict X was overthrown. Several English sources, including Florence of Worcester, record that Ealdred, Archbishop of York, in fact presided over Harold's coronation, suggesting it was entirely legitimate. Halley's comet appeared in the sky on 24 April 1066 and was visible for a week and was taken by many as an ill omen. Accounts describe it as appearing to be four times the size of Venus and shining with a light equal to a quarter of that of the Moon. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records, 'Then was over all England such a token seen as no man ever saw before. Some men said that it was a comet star, which others call the long-haired star.

It appeared first on the eve called "Litania major", that is, on the eighth before the calends off May; and so shone all the week.' This scene may represent Harold being told of the ill omen represented by the appearence of the comet. The marginal picture of the outline of several boats has been interpreted as a depiction of the prediction that William will build a fleet and invade. On hearing of King Edward's death and Harold's coronation William decided to contest the matter. He was not alone. Harold Hardrada, King of Norway, also laid claim to the throne of England yet the Bayeux tapestry makes no reference to the Norse invasion or the battle at Stanford Bridge. See The preliminaries of the conquest and the Battle of Hastings . William of Poitiers describes the marshalling of William's forces: '...William ordered the provision of ships, arms, men and supplies, and all other things necessary for war; almost all of Normandy was devoted to the task, and it would take too long to describe the preparations in detail. Equally, he made arrangements for the government and security of Normandy in his absence.

Numerous soldiers from outside the dutchy arrived to offer their help, partly motivated by the famed generosity of the duke, but all fully confident in the justice of his cause.' William of Poitiers gives the size of William's army as 50,000 and William of Jumiï¿½ges gives the size of the fleet as 3000 ships. Both figures are likely to be significantly exaggerated. The Norman poet Wace gives a more reasonable estimate of 696 ships. The historian Sir Frank Stenton estimated that the actual size of William's army was unlikely to be more than 6000 men. William's men are shown felling trees and dressing planks of wood. For felling they use simple narrow bladed axes while the carpenter dressing the plank of wood and one of the shipwrights use a distinctive axe with a T-shaped blade. Examples of both types of axe have been found in the archaeological record. The shipwright on the left in the lower ship uses a spoon-bit, an early form of drill. It has been argued that the proportions of the wine barrel, long and relatively narrow, is similar to those used in William landed at Pevensey, near Eastbourne, Sussex.

The sailors are shown stowing the masts of the ships which are then drawn up onto the beach. Lambs, cattle and pigs are siezed from the local area to sustain the army. The figure marked Wadard is one of three people believed to be vassals of Bishop Odo of Bayeux who appear in the tapestry. Thsi scene shows Duke William with his two half-brothers, Odo, Bishop of Bayeux and Robert, Count of Mortain. William of Poitiers wrote that 'The rejoycing Normans, once they had landed, occupied Pevensey, where they built their first camp, and built another at Hastings, providing a refuge for themselves and a shelter for their boats.' A corruption in the Latin text, the use of AT rather than AD, is considered by some scholars to be evidence of an English origin to the tapestry. The men are shown using several tools, a short handled pick used to break up the ground, a single step wooden spade with an iron edge used to dig and fan shaped wooden shovels used to move the dug earth.

William of Poitiers records of the English army's advance on the Normans 'the king [Harold] in his fury had hastened his march, particularly because he had learnt of the devastation around the Norman camp'. It is unclear whether the destruction caused in the area was a byproduct of the Norman's gathering of supplies or a deliberate policy to draw Harold into a decisive battle before all the English forces were assembled. The building may represent Harold's own manor at Crowhurst, 4 miles from Hastings, which is recorded in the Domesday book as being laid waste. Viltal is one of three people believed to be vassals of Bishop Odo of Bayeux who appear in the tapestry. William of Poitiers records that 'The speach with which he [William] rallied the courage and eagerness of his troops, although brief due to the circumstances, was doubtless a fine one, although it has not come down to us in all its splendour. He reminded the Normans they had always been victorious in many and great dangers. He reminded everyone of their country, their noble deeds and their great name. "Now you must prove with your hands the stuff of which you are made, the spirit that inspires you.

Now it is no longer a matter of living and ruling but of escaping with your lives from imminent danger. If you fight manfully, victory, honour and riches will be yours; otherwise you will be slain or as captives, you will serve the whims of a most cruel enemy: on the one hand an army and an unknown and hostile countryside bar the way, on the other a navy and the sea. Men should not be frightened by numbers. On many occasions the English, defeated by the swords of their enemies, have perished; most of the time they have been conquered and have had to surrender to the enemy. They have never distinguished themselves by great deeds of arms. Men inexperienced in battle can be easily overcome by the courage and skill of a few. Above all, divine help will not be lacking for a just cause. If such a band are daring, and do not yield, victory will soon be theirs to celebrate." ' One of the knights carried a spear with a pennant bearing the device of 3 red rings with gold centres. This may represent the emblem of the Eustace, Count of Boulogne. The emblem of Boulogne is three red circles on a field of gold.

Later Eustace, Count of Boulogne, is shown carrying a banner bearing a cross, taken to be the banner sent by the Pope as a sign of his support for William's cause. The tapestry depicts archers on the Norman side only, with one exception. However, archery was not unknown to the English and it is not known whether English archers were present in significant numbers but are simply not depicted or whether they had not been assembled. Gyrth and Leofwine were two of Harold's younger brothers. Harold's other brothers were Tostig, who died fighting against Harold at the Battle of Stanford Bridge, and Wulfnoth, who was William's hostage at the time of the battle of Hastings. His elder brother, Swein, was already dead by the time of the events depicted on the tapestry. The mounted Norman knights are shown unsuccessfully attacking a group of unarmoued English warriors on a hill. It appears that some form of defensive work of short stakes or stones has been erected to bring down the Norman's horses. Such chevaux de frise are known from as early as the Iron Age but are not otherwise known to have been used by the Anglo-Saxons.

William of Poitiers recounts that during the battle word spread among the Normans that Duke William had been slain and the army began to withdraw. Odo is shown rallying the troops who are fleeing. To quell rumor of his death, the duke removes his helmet. This rallies the troops who return to the battle. Eustace of Boulogne, points out William to the Norman troops. He carries a banner bearing a gold cross, which may be the one sent by the Pope as a sign of his support for William's cause, although the chronicler Wace gives the name of the knight who carried the Pope's banner as Tosteins Fitz Rou le blanc. There is considerable debate about the legend of Harold being hit by an arrow in his eye (See The death of Harold ). It is likely that the figure ususally taken to be Harold did not originally have an arrow in his eye and that this was erroneously added in a much later restotation of the tapestry. The man standing next to the 'Harold' figure carries Harold's standard, the dragon of Wessex. Another standard bearer, far left, has already fallen.

The aftermath of the battle The death Harold together with Gyrth and Leofwine left the greater part of England leaderless. Although the Witanagemot elected Edgar the ï¿½theling, grandson of King Edmund Ironside,as king he was only a teenager. Without a strong focus effective resistance petered out, at least temporarily, and the surviving English nobility either submitted to William or fled abroad. William was crowned King of England in Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day 1066. Les Normands - The Bayeux Tapestry The Bayeux Tapestry Tapestries Array ( [Product] => Array ( [id] => 276 [created] => [modified] => 2016-04-22 16:46:59 [published] => 1 [begin_publishing] => 2012-08-04 11:08:00 [end_publishing] => [name] => Les Normands [slug] => les-normands [description] => Les Normands tapestry depicts an excerpt from the Bayeux Tapestry when the Norman Fleet approaches England.

This embroidery of the late 11th century is now exhibited at Bayeux, Normandy. Over 220 foot long it depicts the events leading up to the Battle of Hastings in 1066 when Duke William of Normandy was victorious over King Harold of Saxon England. This French tapestry is lined and has a tunnel for ease of hanging. Kray in Illinois wrote this review on Google after receiving Les Normands tapestry: "I had a great experience with Tapestry House. I was in France a couple of months ago and I bought a replica of a portion of the Bayeux Tapestry. When we got home, we decided was wanted another piece. I found the right one on the Tapestry House website, they confirmed via email that I understood the item, and they quicly shipped it once I placed the order.

Classy people, helpful." [price] => 100 [product_number] => s223 [count] => 0 [weight] => 0.00 [additional_shipping] => 0.00 [handling] => 0.00 [height] => 0.00 [width] => 0.00 [depth] => 0.00 [featured] => 0 [featured_category] => [meta_title] => Les Normands - The Bayeux Tapestry [meta_keywords] => The Tapestry House, tapestries, wall hangings, bayeux tapestry, medieval tapestry [meta_description] => Les Normands from the Bayeux Tapestry shows the Norman Fleet on its way to England in 1066. Now woven in France.

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 => 2014-12-22 15:46:07 [end_publishing] => [published] => 1 ) ) [Document] => Array ( ) [ExtraField] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [id] => 669 [foreign_key] => 276 [key] => raw_price [val] => 100.00 [type] => string [foreign_model] => Product ) [1] => Array ( [id] => 1271 [foreign_key] => 276 [key] => featured_description [val] => [type] => string [foreign_model] => Product ) ) [ProductPrice] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [id] => 8137 [product_id] => 276 [price] => 110.00 [details] => 16" x 33" ) ) [ProductCategory] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [id] => 17 [name] => The Bayeux Tapestry [description] => The Bayeux Tapestry The Bayeux Tapestry is considered a masterpiece of

 early medieval wall tapestries.

Having said that, it is not strictly a tapestry since it is embroidered. Nonetheless the 224 feet long tale of the events leading up to the Norman Conquest of England and the Battle of Hastings in 1066 has gained the name "The Bayeux Tapestry". Numerous scenes from the original on display at Bayeux in Normandy, France are available for you to order including Duke William Bayeux tapestries woven in France and Belgium. Click on the Bayeux Tapestry images below or their titles to see a larger image, a description, available sizes/prices, and the means to order securely online. We provide free shipping to North America, and worldwide shipping mostly for just $19 or $29.

[rank] => 1 [created] => 2012-04-23 11:02:28 [modified] => 2017-01-09 12:27:09 [slug] => the-bayeux-tapestry [lft] => 3 [rght] => 4 [parent_id] => 2 [published] => 0 [begin_publishing] => [end_publishing] => [meta_title] => The Bayeux Tapestry - medieval wall tapestries [meta_keywords] => The Bayeux Tapestry, Bayeux tapestry, The Tapestry House, tapestries, wall tapestries, bayeux tapestries, medieval wall tapestries [meta_description] => The Bayeux Tapestry scenes of the Battle of Hastings - medieval wall tapestries for sale including Duke William Bayeux tapestries woven in France and Belgium [ProductsProductCategory] => Array ( [id] => 4962 [product_id] => 276 [product_category_id] => 17 [rank] => 22 ) ) ) ) Les Normands tapestry depicts

 an excerpt from the Bayeux Tapestry when the Norman Fleet approaches England.

This embroidery of the late 11th century is now exhibited at Bayeux, Normandy. Over 220 foot long it depicts the events leading up to the Battle of Hastings in 1066 when Duke William of Normandy was victorious over King Harold of Saxon England. This French tapestry is lined and has a tunnel for ease of hanging. Kray in Illinois wrote this review on Google after receiving Les Normands tapestry: "I had a great experience with Tapestry House. I was in France a couple of months ago and I bought a replica of a portion of the Bayeux Tapestry. When we got home, we decided was wanted another piece. I found the right one on the Tapestry House website, they confirmed via email that I understood the item, and they quicly shipped it once I placed the order. Classy people, helpful." Product Code: s223 $110.00 USD: 16" x 33" Material: 95% cotton, 5% viscose Quantity We ship worldwide. You have two shipping options, standard or express. Shipping tapestries to USA and Canada. Standard shipping is FREE to USA and Canada.

Express shipping to Canada and USA. Order value: up to $150 express shipping cost is $15 $151 - $350 cost is $20 $351 - $650 cost is $25 $651 - $1,000 cost is $30 $1,001 - $1,500 cost is $35 $1,501 - $2,500 cost is $80 (courier) Over $2,500 cost is $100 (courier) Shipping tapestries to the rest of the world Standard shipping to the rest of the world Order value: up to $150 shipping cost is $19 $151 - $1,500 cost is $29 Over $1,500 cost is $95 (courier) Express shipping to the rest of the world - please ask us for a quote since the cost varies depending on the weight and value of your tapestry order and your location.

Approximate tapestry delivery times 11075 Salal Place, North Saanich Victoria, BC The Bayeux Tapestry | Middle Ages The Bayeux Tapestry Middle Ages Battles The Bayeux Tapestry is a magnificent piece of artwork that has attracted the attention of audiences for centuries, and it’s easy to see why. Not only does the Bayeux Tapestry depict an astonishing amount of Norman and Saxon history, its sheer size is magnificent to behold. At more than 70 metres (or 230 feet) long, this incredible artistic masterpiece would be an impressive production of today’s standards. However, the Bayeux Tapestry was produced centuries ago, and has managed, with modern preservation, to withstand the test of time. What is the Bayeux Tapestry? The Bayeux Tapestry is an impressive 230 feet long, but it is just 20 inches high, creating one very long thin piece that tells an incredible story. The Bayeux Tapestry uses a number of characters and props to tell a dramatic story from one biased perspective. The Bayeux Tapestry depicts the events leading up to and during the Battle of Hastings.

The events are all told from a Norman point of view. The Bayeux Tapestry is a tribute to William the Conqueror and his successful invasion of England, which brought about the end of the Anglo-Saxon reign of England and started the claim of the crown by Norman leaders. Who Made the Bayeux Tapestry, When Was It Made and How Was it Made? The word ‘tapestry’ is actually a misrepresentation of what this magnificent artistic piece actually is. Rather than being a tapestry, the piece is actually embroidery. Coloured wool is embroidered on to eight long strips of unbleached linen. Each panel was sewn together to create one long piece of material; forming the background of the Bayeux Tapestry. The scenes and details were then sewn into these pieces. A number of colours are used for the detailing, including: Dark blue Buff Yellow Despite its magnificence and its ability to convey a very powerful story, ironically very little is known about the story behind the Bayeux Tapestry itself. There is much debate about who thought up the idea of the Bayeux Tapestry, who designed it, who produced it and where it was produced.

Although it is unclear who came up with the idea of the Bayeux Tapestry, it is thought that Bishop Odo is thought would have commissioned the piece. Bishop Odo was William the Conqueror’s half brother, and Odo features in the Bayeux Tapestry. As well as being William’s brother, the finished tapestry fits nicely inside the nave of the Bayeux Cathedral, suggesting that the Bayeux Tapestry was designed specifically for Odo and his cathedral. If this is the case, then Bishop Odo would have been responsible for approving the plans, designs and scenes created for the Bayeux Tapestry. If Bishop Odo did commission the piece he would have wanted the people with the very best needlework skills. There was a legend that suggested Queen Matilda, William the Conqueror’s wife, worked on the piece with her chamber of ladies, to honour the victories of her husband, although this legend is highly unlikely and probably nothing more than a romantic tale. Despite being a Norman account of events, it is believed that due to the high standards of craftsmanship of the piece that the Bayeux Tapestry was made in England, possibly by highly skilled nuns who were experienced in the art.

Both the quality and the style of the needlework suggest that the piece was produced by workers in England. There are only two stitch patterns used in the Bayeux Tapestry and there are: Laid / Couched Work Stem Stitch With this in mind, there have been two primary locations suggested as possible places where the Bayeux Tapestry could have been developed. These include: Winchester - Winchester which was renowned for its high quality of needlework. Winchester was also an important city during the Norman invasion, as it was home to both a new royal residence and the royal treasury. Canterbury – Canterbury is famous for its cathedral, but at the time it was also famous for a specialist school of tapestry which used techniques and styles similar to those found in the Bayeux Tapestry. Based on William’s and Odo’s movements, and based on historical records, most historians believe that the Bayeux Tapestry was commissioned in the autumn of 1067. It is believed to have taken nearly a decade to complete the piece, and the Bayeux Tapestry was first publicly displayed in the Bayeux Cathedral in the summer of 1077.

There is no doubt that the unveiling of the Bayeux Tapestry would have created quite a stir in the local population. Following it’s unveiling, the Bayeux Tapestry continued to impress and inspire both the French and the English, and in the late 19th century Elizabeth and Thomas Wardle, with the aid of more than 30 women, set to work producing an almost exact replica of the Bayeux Tapestry that would be kept in England. It took the team just over a year to complete the task. The only alteration that they made was the addition of their names on the panels that they had worked on. Who and What can be Seen in the Bayeux Tapestry? The Bayeux Tapestry includes an astonishing number of people, animals and inscriptions, however, the focus of the story are three kings of England.

These are: Edward the Confessor – 1042 – 1066 Harold – 1066 William the Conqueror – 1066 – 1087 However, there are a number of additional elements in the Bayeux Tapestry, including: More than 600 people (only 3 of which are women) Approximately 200 horses and 50 dogs More than 500 birds, animals and mythical creatures Approximately 40 ships and a similar number of buildings Nearly 50 trees A total of 57 Latin inscriptions comprised on nearly 2000 letters Scenes of the Bayeux Tapestry The Bayeux Tapestry details the relationship between he Anglo-Saxons and the Normans and depicts the well known Battle of Hastings. Harold’s Journey to Normandy The Bayeux Tapestry starts in 1064, with King Edward and his brother in law Henry holding discussions in the Royal Palace of Westminster. Harold, wielding a hawk, leaves the palace with his followers and his hunting dogs and makes his way to the family estate in Bosham, Sussex.

Harold and a companion enter a church together at Bosham to pray for a safe journey across the sea. They travelling party enjoy a fest together, and the next day Harold sets sail, still carrying the hawk. The ship travels across the English Channel and a lookout spots Ponthieu, north of Normandy. Upon his arrival Harold is captured by Count Guy. Harold the Prisoner As a prisoner, Harold is treated with respect. After all, he is the brother in law of King Edward. Count Guy rides with Harold to Beaurain, where Guy takes his throne to talk with Harold. News reaches William the Duke of Normandy that Guy has captured Harold, and he sends messengers to order Guy to bring Harold to him. Guy obeys this order. The two men greeting William both have hawks. Harold is released from Guy’s custody, and Harold and William ride together accompanied by soldiers to William’s palace at Rouen. William suddenly has a hawk of his own in this part of the tapestry, and it’s at this point in the tapestry that an event is acknowledged, which involves an unnamed lady and a naked man, but very little is known why this event was included or to what it refers to.

Harold and William – Brothers in Arms Fighting breaks out, and Harold is seen accompanying William en-route to fight Duke Conan of Brittany. The Tapestry depicts the duo passing Mont St. Michael, which lies on the border between Normandy and Brittany. In order to reach Brittany Harold, William and the troops must first cross the river, which they do so, holding their shields above their heads. Harold is then depicted as rescuing soldiers two at a time from the clutches of quicksand. The Normans launch their attack on Brittany, and Duke Conan escapes. The Normans give chase, passing Rennes, the capital of Brittany as they do so. They catch up with Duke Conan at Dinan, and after more fighting Conan surrenders to the Norman forces, and in doing so he hands the keys of Dinan to William. William, pleased with his victory, rewards Harold with the gift of arms. This exchange between the French Duke and the English Earl would have been important from the Norman perspective. Harold’s Oath, The Return Home and King Edward’s Death With the battle over, Harold and William are shown returning to Bayeux in Normandy. It’s at Bayeux that Harold is depicted as swearing an oath on holy relics.

It is believed that this is an attempt for the Normans to reaffirm that Harold had sworn his support to William, which had been reinforced given their most recent shared victory. Whatever was said and promised, Harold is finally released and allowed to return back to England. Harold arrives home and is shown to be sharing discussions with a rather ill looking King Edward. Despite his appearance in the Bayeux Tapestry it is believed that Edward was in good health when Harold returned from France. The next portion of the Bayeux Tapestry depicts the last few days of King Edward’s life. He is seen one moment lying in bed, talking with his followers. The next, his coffin is being carried towards Westminster Abbey. Two noblemen can be seen offering Harold the crown and an axe, both of which were symbols of authority and royalty. Harold appears to be accepting the items and the responsibility. The Coronation and the Impending Invasion The next scene is a very superstitious one. Harold can be seen taking the throne on the same day as Edward’s funeral. During the celebrations Haley’s Comet passes, frightening the people as they think it is a bad omen.

News of Edward’s death and Harold’s coronation is taken across the ocean and straight to William. William appears to be furious and makes the decision to invade England and claim what he feels is his to take. William makes plans to go to war, with his half brother Odo, the Bishop of Bayeux, sitting at his side. The Bayeux Tapestry then shows William’s men preparing for the invasion. Woodmen can be seen felling trees, while shipmakers use the planks to build big boats. Supplies and weaponry are loaded on to the shop, in preparation of the impending invasion. Arriving in England William is seen leading his men out to sea in their ships, and they look well supplied. William and his men land at Pevensey and take steps to establish a presence in England. A full feast is prepared for William and his nobles and Odo can be seen once again with his half brother. A castle is built to reinforce the Normans position in England. The Battle of Hastings William is then depicted dressed in full armour ready to mount his horse. Once mounted, he rides off with his men to war. The Bayeux Tapestry suddenly changes, and looks at the event from the English perspective.

A look out warns Harold that the Normans are approaching. Just as quickly again, the Bayeux Tapestry goes back to the perspective of the Normans and a confident William can be seen giving an encouraging speech to his men. The Normans can be seen charging, and the Battle of Hastings has formerly begun. The English, on foot, are shown to be using the shield-wall tactic that proved successful in the early part of the battle. Normans attack from two sides, and the bodies mount up. Harold’s two brothers are slain in the next scene. Suddenly William’s brother in law Bishop Odo appears, brandishing a club rather than a sword. William is depicted as being knocked from off of his horse, and to show that he still lives on William can be seen as taking his helmet off. This spurs on his soldiers, encouraging them to fight on. King Harold is shown to be killed not once but twice, firstly with a Norman soldier removing an arrow from his eye, and then Harold is depicted again, only this time he is being struck by a Norman knight. With Harold dead, the Normans chase away the remaining English soldiers.

The final scene of the tapestry has been lost, although it is believed to have shown William in his throne being crowned the King of England. This would complement the scene at the start of the Bayeux Tapestry which shows Edward looking well and healthy sat in his throne. Related Articles The Bayeux Tapestry by Carola Hicks · OverDrive: eBooks, audiobooks and videos for libraries Art History Nonfiction The vivid scenes on the Bayeux Tapestry depict the events leading up to the Battle of Hastings in 1066. It is one of Europe's greatest treasures and its own story is full of drama and surprise. Who commissioned the tapestry? Was it Bishop Odo, William's ruthless half-brother? Or Harold's dynamic sister Edith, juggling for a place in the new court?

Hicks shows us this world and the miracle of the tapestry's making: the stitches, dyes and strange details in the margins.For centuries it lay ignored in Bayeux cathedral until its 'discovery' in the eighteenth century.It became a symbol of power as well as art: townsfolk saved it during the French Revolution; Napoleon displayed it to promote his own conquest; the Nazis strove to make it their own; and its influence endures today. This marvellous book, packed with thrilling stories, shows how we remake history in every age and how a great work of art has a life of its own. Adobe EPUB eBook 3.3 MB Carola Hicks (Author) Carola Hicks was an acclaimed art historian, and witty, perceptive writer. Born in Sussex, Carola studied archaeology at Edinburgh University, and was an actress, journalist and House of Commons Researcher, before taking up an academic career. For...

Category:Bayeux Tapestry - Wikimedia Commons Category:Bayeux Tapestry Jump to: navigation , search This object is classé Monument Historique in the base Palissy , database of the French furniture patrimony of the French ministry of culture , under the reference PM14000079 . Français : Tapisserie de Bayeux · English: The Bayeux Tapestry ( long, which depicts the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England concerning William, Duke of Normandy and Harold, Earl of Wessex, later King of England , and culminating in the Battle of Hastings . The tapestry consists of some fifty scenes annotated in Latin, embroidered on linen with coloured woollen yarns. It is likely that it was commissioned by Bishop Odo , William's half-brother, and made in England in the 1070s. In 1729 the hanging was rediscovered by scholars at a time when it was being displayed annually in Bayeux Cathedral . The tapestry is now exhibited at Musée de la Tapisserie de Bayeux in Bayeux , Normandy .

A complete re-creation of the tapestry as a mosaic of 1.5 million steel pieces has been completed over 20 years from 1979 to 1999 by Michael Linton and is on display in Geraldine, New Zealand . Français : La Tapisserie de Bayeux, aussi connue sous le nom de Tapisserie de la reine Mathilde , et plus anciennement « Telle du Conquest » (pour « toile de la Conquête ») se présente techniquement sous la forme d'une broderie. Elle semble avoir été commandée par Odon de Bayeux , le demi-frère de Guillaume le Conquérant et décrit les faits relatifs à la conquête normande de l'Angleterre en 1066 . Elle détaille les événements clés de cette conquête, notamment la bataille de Hastings . Toutefois, près de la moitié des images relatent des faits antérieurs à l'invasion elle-même.

Bien que très favorable à Guillaume le Conquérant au point d'être considérée parfois comme une œuvre de propagande, elle a une valeur documentaire inestimable pour la connaissance du présentée au public dans un musée qui lui est entièrement dédié. La tapisserie est inscrite depuis 2007 au registre Mémoire du monde par l' UNESCO . Subcategories Why was the Battle of Hastings important? | Reference.com Why was the Battle of Hastings important? A: Quick Answer The Battle of Hastings, fought on October 14, 1066, was important because William the Conqueror's defeat of Anglo-Saxon King Harold II brought about the era of Norman rule in England. On December 25, 1066, shortly after his victory at Hastings, William was crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey in London. Full Answer King Edward the Confessor of England had evidently first offered his cousin William the kingdom. However, at the time of his death in January 1066, he reneged on his promise and gave the throne to Harold, Earl of Wessex.

William reacted by invading England with an army of 4,000 to 10,000 soldiers in September 1066. Harold marched south to meet him with about 7,000 men. They met and fought on a site near the town of Hastings. The battle lasted all day, from 9:00 a.m. until dusk. After Harold was killed, his army scattered, and the Normans prevailed. William moved on to London, where his coronation took place. Although William expected a speedy end of hostilities, Anglo-Saxon nobility continued to rebel for several years. Eventually, though, the Normans brought the country under control. French became the official court language, and a blend of Anglo-Saxon and French evolved into the modern language of English. Historians agree that the Norman conquest brought about a profound transformation of English society.

Battle of Hastings - The Bayeux Tapestry The Bayeux Tapestry Tapestries Array ( [Product] => Array ( [id] => 275 [created] => [modified] => 2016-10-08 08:59:07 [published] => 1 [begin_publishing] => 2012-08-04 11:08:00 [end_publishing] => [name] => Battle of Hastings [slug] => battle-of-hastings [description] => The pivotal Battle of Hastings tapestry scene from the Bayeux Tapestry where William the Conqueror and the Normans are victorious over King Harold and the Saxons. Now available as a French wall tapestry. This tapestry depicts a detail from the Bayeux Tapestry created in the 11th century which retraces the history of the conquest of England by William the Conqueror in 1066. It is lined and has a tunnel for ease of hanging. Please note that the larger size is on temporary sale due to being overstocked, reduced from US$360 to US$319.

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Was US$360 ) [1] => Array ( [id] => 9701 [product_id] => 275 [price] => 160.00 [details] => 18"x43" ) ) [ProductCategory] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [id] => 62 [name] => Sale - medieval, Arts & Crafts [description] => Medieval tapestries on sale - and Arts and Crafts tapestries Medieval tapestries on sale - and Arts and Crafts tapestries. They are either discontinued or simply over-stocked; regardless, their excellent prices are significantly reduced. Please note that quantities are limited (sometimes just a single one available). All are woven in France, Belgium or Italy. All wall tapestry hangings are lined, with a rod pocket for easy hanging. Click on the images or their titles to see a larger image, a description, available sizes/prices, and the means to order securely online. We provide free shipping to North America, and worldwide shipping mostly for just $19 or $29.

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Each wall tapestry hanging is woven in France, Belgium or Italy [ProductsProductCategory] => Array ( [id] => 6403 [product_id] => 275 [product_category_id] => 62 [rank] => 1 ) ) [1] => Array ( [id] => 17 [name] => The Bayeux Tapestry [description] => The Bayeux Tapestry The Bayeux Tapestry is considered a masterpiece of early medieval wall tapestries. Having said that, it is not strictly a tapestry since it is embroidered. Nonetheless the 224 feet long tale of the events leading up to the Norman Conquest of England and the Battle of Hastings in 1066 has gained the name "The Bayeux Tapestry". Numerous scenes from the original on display at Bayeux in Normandy, France are available for you to order including Duke William Bayeux tapestries woven in France and Belgium. Click on the Bayeux Tapestry images below or their titles to see a larger image, a description, available sizes/prices, and the means to order securely online.

We provide free shipping to North America, and worldwide shipping mostly for just $19 or $29.

[rank] => 1 [created] => 2012-04-23 11:02:28 [modified] => 2017-01-09 12:27:09 [slug] => the-bayeux-tapestry [lft] => 3 [rght] => 4 [parent_id] => 2 [published] => 0 [begin_publishing] => [end_publishing] => [meta_title] => The Bayeux Tapestry - medieval wall tapestries [meta_keywords] => The Bayeux Tapestry, Bayeux tapestry, The Tapestry House, tapestries, wall tapestries, bayeux tapestries, medieval wall tapestries [meta_description] => The Bayeux Tapestry scenes of the Battle of Hastings - medieval wall tapestries for sale including Duke William Bayeux tapestries woven in France and Belgium [ProductsProductCategory] => Array ( [id] => 6402 [product_id] => 275 [product_category_id] => 17 [rank] => 2 ) ) ) ) The pivotal Battle of Hastings tapestry

 scene from the Bayeux Tapestry where William the Conqueror and the Normans are victorious over King Harold and the Saxons.

Now available as a French wall tapestry. This tapestry depicts a detail from the Bayeux Tapestry created in the 11th century which retraces the history of the conquest of England by William the Conqueror in 1066. It is lined and has a tunnel for ease of hanging. Please note that the larger size is on temporary sale due to being overstocked, reduced from US$360 to US$319. $319.00 USD: 27"x61". Was US$360 $160.00 USD: 18"x43" Material: 78% cotton, 13% acrylic, 6% polyester, 3% viscose Quantity We ship worldwide. You have two shipping options, standard or express. Shipping tapestries to USA and Canada. Standard shipping is FREE to USA and Canada. Express shipping to Canada and USA.

Order value: up to $150 express shipping cost is $15 $151 - $350 cost is $20 $351 - $650 cost is $25 $651 - $1,000 cost is $30 $1,001 - $1,500 cost is $35 $1,501 - $2,500 cost is $80 (courier) Over $2,500 cost is $100 (courier) Shipping tapestries to the rest of the world Standard shipping to the rest of the world Order value: up to $150 shipping cost is $19 $151 - $1,500 cost is $29 Over $1,500 cost is $95 (courier) Express shipping to the rest of the world - please ask us for a quote since the cost varies depending on the weight and value of your tapestry order and your location. Approximate tapestry delivery times 11075 Salal Place, North Saanich Victoria, BC

Question: The Bayeux Tapestry depicts events leading up to which battle?
Answer: Battle of Hastings